The collection consists of papers and materials relating to Joseph R. Slevin’s life, primarily surrounding his research of
the history of the Galapagos Islands. The collection includes manuscripts, correspondence and photographs. The collection
also contains numerous research materials relating to Slevin's work as the curator of the herpetology department at the California
Academy of Sciences.

Background

Joseph Richard Slevin was born in San Francisco on September 13, 1881. He attended St. Ignatius College, San Francisco and
completed his studies in Humanities at St. Mary’s College in Kansas. His mother was an avid philatelist, one brother was an
ornithologist, another brother was an entomologist, and his father, Thomas E. Slevin, was a member of the California Academy
of Sciences as well as an amateur ornithologist.